The Forum is a gathering place of interesting people doing interesting things and making an impact in Northern California. Hosted by Ashlee Tate, Christy Largent and host Chris Resner the purpose of the show is to shine a light on those people and organizations who are positively influencing their communities whether it be through their business or volunteer organization. It is the goal of KIXE to feature guests from all reaches of our 10 county viewing area so that each community and viewer can feel as though they are a part of the larger Forum.

Episode 401: Boles Fire Update

Episode 313: Kids 4 Healing and American Cancer Society

On this episode of The Forum meet Katelyn a 13 year old girl who has founded the organization Kids 4 Healing to help cancer patients know they aren't alone. Our hosts talk with Katelyn about how the group got started and her future goals.

Episode 312: BOLD Girls and Girls Inc.

On this episode of The Forum we are talking about empowering young women. Our first guests are from the BOLD Girls program in Butte County that helps girls who are struggling to graduate from high school. Our second guests are from Girls Inc. They talk about what programs they offer for girls in Shasta and Tehama County.

Episode 311: Cottonwood Drug and KKRN Community Radio

This week on The Forum we are talking with people giving back to their communities. Our first guest is Brian Christopher from Cottonwood Drug talking about what their business is doing to fight food insecurity among second graders. Next our hosts talk with the Program and Business Directors of KKRN Community Radio. Find out the history of the station and how you could potentially host your own show!

Episode 310: Paradise Citizens' Alliance and Jake Jackson Museum

On this episode of The Forum our hosts talk with the Paradise Citizens' Alliance and The Jake Jackson Museum. Tune in and hear how small groups of people are making big differences in their communities.

Episode 309: Spartan Radio and Mary's Pizza

On this episode of The Forum our hosts talk with the voices behind Spartan Radio, Red Bluff High School's student run radio station. We then chat with the owners of Mary's Pizza Shack about how to restaurant got started and all the ways they give back to the community.

Episode 308: Everyday Paleo and Don Burton

On this episode of The Forum we talk with two people hoping to you'll listen to them in your car--one on the radio and the other via a podcast. Sarah Fragoso is the author of the Everyday Paleo cookbooks and she talk about what the Paleo diet is and how she got hooked on it. Don Burton is the morning DJ on KShasta in Redding and also the lead singer of the band Silverbridge. Don graciously serenades our hosts with one of his latest songs.

Episode 307: Build.com and Chico State Entrepreneurship

On this episode of The Forum we talk with the founder and CEO of Build.com Christian Friedland about how the business got started and helping young entrepreneurs. We also chat with Peter Straus from Chico State's Business and Entrepreneurship Program about how they help students on the road to owning their own business.

Episode 306: Cultivating Community North Valley and Fort Crook Museum

It's all about community on this episode of The Forum. Our first guests from Cultivating Community North Valley talk about what they are doing to fight food insecurity in Butte County by bringing farmers and local people together. Our second guest from the Fort Crook Museum talks about their local history and their multiple buildings, exhibits and events.

Episode 305: MONCA and Chico Presents

In this episode of The Forum our hosts talk with two groups who are working to bring the arts to Northern California. The Museum of Northern California Art is preparing to move into the Veteran's Hall in Chico and Chico Performances is a popular North State mainstay known for bringing great shows to Chico.

Episode 304: Local Authors Dan O'Brien and Debbie Sprague

Episode 303: Wildcard Brewing Co. and Abbey of New Clairvaux

In this episode of The Forum our hosts talk with people who are working hard to craft spirits in Northern California. Our first guest is Jennifer Hansen, owner and founder of Wildcard Brewing Co. in Redding. We then travel down to Tehama County to speak with Brother Christopher from The Abbey of New Clairvaux about their wine and sacred stones.

Episode 302: Lucero Olive Oil and Julia's Fruit Stand

On this episode of The Forum we celebrate local agriculture from Tehama County. First we hear the story behind Lucero Olive Oil straight from Lucero Family then we're joined by the founder of Julia's Fruit Stand and hear about how their life has been transformed since the stand opened.

Episode 301: Jennifer Scarborough and Shasta EDC

In this episode of The Forum on KIXE our hosts talk with Hope Seth from the Shasta County Economic Development Corporation about the work they do with small businesses. Then--if you live in the North State you see her everyday on KRCR-TV anchoring the news--find out more about News Director, Jennifer Scarborough.

Episode 212: Arts for All and Behrens Eaton House Museum

In this episode of The Forum our hosts talk with women who are working to preserve arts and history in Northern California. Our first guests talk about how they came to form Arts for All in Butte County and its mission of making sure students in the Chico Unified School District have the opportunity to take part in art classes. Our second guest is Joyce Morrow from the Behrens-Eaton Museum in Redding. She talks about the process of getting the museum ready to open and the legacy of the late Judge Eaton.

Episode 211: College Scheduler and Liberty Arts

In this episode of The Forum host Christy Largent and guest host Rick Kern talk with two guests seeking to enhance students’ educational experiences in very different ways. Our first guest Robert Strazzarino is the founder of College Scheduler. The College Scheduler program not only streamlines class registration for students but also helps universities track the need for courses. In addition to being a gallery showcasing local artists the Liberty Arts Contemporary Gallery offers weekly educational programs and recently began a program that sends artists into classrooms to talk about their craft.

Episode 210: State Theater in Red Bluff and Rick Kern

This episode of The Forum highlights volunteers. Our first guests have dedicated themselves to the preservation of the State Theater in Red Bluff. They talk about renovations and plans for the historic theater and its connection to Tom Hanks. In the second half of the show our hosts take a moment to chat with KIXE’s Volunteer of the Year and host of the local talk show Above the Line, Rick Kern

Episode 209: Business Leaders That Give Back

On this episode of The Forum our hosts talk with business owners who invest their time and resources into making their community a better place. The Resners of Dutch Bros. received the Humanitarian award form the Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and recently donated more than $20,000 of proceeds from their business to Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Jana Leard from Vintners Cellars in Redding has dedicated herself to bringing top notch theater productions to the Cascade Theater including the revamping of the annual Cascade Christmas.

Episode 208: Arc Solutions and Chico Women's Club

This week on The Forum we are talking with guests who make a difference not only in their communities but also around the world. Representatives from The Chico Women’s Club talk about their 100th anniversary and the restoration or an important piece of the club’s history. Christian Taylor from Arc Solutions talks about his passion for bringing water to war zones and their vision of eliminating waterborne diseases in conflict zones.

Episode 207: Mike Frank Consulting and Incrediwear

What does it take to transform a dream into a successful business? This week on The Forum our hosts talk with one guest who has been to the top of the business world and is now helping others up the ladder and one businessman who is witnessing his invention reach all corners of the globe.

The two groups featured on this episode of The Forum are working hard to make sure that our rural area continues to have access to art and art education. Dan Kupsky from Riverfront Playhouse talks about the need for community theater and gives an update on their fundraising efforts. Martha Boyle and David Lee Johnson from the Cottonwood Performing Arts Center talk about the genesis of the center and what they are able to offer at their new location on Main Street in Cottonwood.

Episode 205: Weed Pride and Madrone Hospice

On this episode of The Forum our hosts talk with people making a difference in Siskiyou County. Our first guests from the community group Weed Pride talk about their plans for revitalizing downtown Weed and the great work they have already been able to accomplish. Our second guest Terri Berentsen talks about the great work being done at Madrone Hospice in Yreka and how the system they have set up with the Madrone House is being copied around the state.

Episode 204: Local Authors

In this episode our hosts talk with local authors Tina Gower and Faydra Koenig. Gower and Koenig share stories of what inspired them to start writing and share details about their current and upcoming projects.

Episode 203: Little Red Hen Nursery

In this episode of The Forum our hosts talk with leaders of two North State organizations that were both founded by mothers when they saw there was a need for groups to help children who are so often marginalized. The Little Red Hen and Autism Lifespan work to help not only those persons with developmental disabilities to have dignity and purpose and friendship but also their parents and extended families.

Episode 202: Pursuing Higher Education

How do you foster a culture that values higher education in rural communities where the closest four year university is an hour or more away? The guests on this episode of The Forum have made it their mission to help students realize that nothing is outside their reach—including higher education.

Episode 201: Connecting with Technology

In this episode our hosts talk with Faye Hall from BuildIT and Rachel Hatch with TEDx Redding, two women who have made it their mission to help educate people about the multiple uses of technology both personally and professionally.

Episode 113: Innovate North State

This week on The Forum hosts Ashlee Tate and Christy Largent along with guest host Doni Chamberlain interview Jon Gregory from Innovate North State. Gregory talks about the genesis of Innovate North State and their vision to bring economic vitality to the 530 area code. They talk about Innovate North State’s method of pivot point economic development and how they use it to help both existing businesses and start-up companies.

Episode 112: Women in North State Media

In this episode our hosts talk with Linda Watkins-Bennett from KHSL/KNVN-TV and Doni Chamberlain the founder of the news magazine anewscafe.com. Our guests talk about the changes they have seen in their more than 20 years of experience working in both print and television media. They discuss challenges faces women in journalism and some of their favorite, and least favorite, parts of their careers.

Episode 111: Shasta Family YMCA and Butte County Boys and Girls Club

In this episode our guests talk with Al Boren from the Shasta Family YMCA about their recent remodel and the new programs that are available to families as a result. In the second part of the program our hosts talk with Rashell Brobst the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Butte County and their Youth of the Year Joe Wood. Brobst and Wood talk about the programs available at the club and the demographics of the children they serve.

Episode 110: Rooster Party

Our guest this week is Dan Lance the founder of the nonprofit The Rooster Party. Lance talks about how the party was founded and what they do to help artists and families trying to adopt children. In the second part of the program viewers are treated to a performance by Chris Molitor, one of the artists who has benefited by the work of the Rooster Party.

Episode 109: Active 20-30 Club

In this episode our hosts sit down with two members of the Redding Chamber of Commerce’s Nonprofit of the Year, the Active 20-30 Club of Redding. Our guests highlight some of the clubs annual projects including: the Sundial Film Festival, the Redding Lighted Christmas Parade and purchasing school clothes for underprivileged students.

Episode 108: Mayor of Oroville and Roplast Industries

Oroville Mayor, Linda Dahlmeier talks about her two nice things campaign and how she was able to use it during a meeting with Governor Jerry Brown. She also offers details about her recent trade trip to China. In the second part of the show our hosts talk with Roplast Industries owner Robert Bateman. Bateman talks how his industry of reusable bags is evolving and why he located to Oroville.

In this episode of The Forum our hosts introduce viewers to two unique voices in fiction who hail from the North State. Cindy Martinusen Coloma and Kimberly Carlson talk about their different paths to writing success and offer insights for aspiring authors.

Episode 106: Rick Osbrink

The Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) at Shasta College offers seminars, training sessions and tools to encourage young people to pursue self employment as a career option. In this episode of The Forum YEP Program Coordinator, Rick Osbrink talks about how he got involved with the program and shares some of the inventions from the Annual YEP Business Concept and Elevator Competition.

Episode 105: Local Musicians, Summer Schappel and Daniel Munoz

In this episode of The Forum our hosts sit down with two rising stars from Northern California, country singer Summer Schappel and Spanish language singer Daniel Munoz el Ausente. Each singer chats about how they got their start and then sings live for our viewers.

Episode 104: Ed Rullman

In this episode of The Forum our hosts talk with The Redding Chamber of Commerce's Businessman of the Year for 2012 Ed Rullman. Rullman talks about the founding of the Redding Merchants Crime Watch and his work with the Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association.

Episode 103: Ilynne Davis, Market Street Faire

Market Street Faire is a new weekly summer event in Redding and in this episode of The Forum our hosts talk with one of the organizers. Ilynne Davis discusses why the Market Street Faire is the perfect place to showcase local musicians and artists and why it is so important to have families attend the event. The Market Street Faire takes place Thursday nights during the summer.

Episode 102: Brian Garcia, Grilla Bites

In this episode of The Forum our hosts sit down with Brian Garcia, the owner of Grilla Bites in Downtown Redding to talk about the sustainable food movement in America and what spurred him to bring Grilla Bites to Redding.

Episode 101: Judy Salter

On this, the pilot episode of The Forum, our hosts interview Judy Salter, a community volunteer and the Redding Chamber of Commerce's 2012 Citizen of the Year. Salter talks about the importance of teaching children the value of volunteering and why projects such as the Redding Library, Women's Fund and early literacy are so vital to our community.